More Highland Nepenthes of Peninsular Malaysia

[Ludwig]

Another point to note were the moisture laden winds that constantly and repeatedly blow over the mts, condenses on the ground and plants it came into contact ( the last photo was significant and explain the whole relationship but unless one visited such habitat in person may not "feel" the significant ). water that didn't have the chance to seep undergroung evaporates.

Robert, is this occurring 24 hours a day or just at specific times of day and/or night??? Thanks.

[Robert]

ludwig said:

Another point to note were the moisture laden winds that constantly and repeatedly blow over the mts, condenses on the ground and plants it came into contact ( the last photo was significant and explain the whole relationship but unless one visited such habitat in person may not "feel" the significant ). water that didn't have the chance to seep undergroung evaporates.

Robert, is this occurring 24 hours a day or just at specific times of day and/or night??? Thanks.

It happens day and night, everyday and regularly, keep repeating as long as there is wind blowing the direction. It is more pronounce at night due to condensing air. ( This was the reason growers/big nurseries employ swamp misters and blowers to immitate the natural conditions growing highland neps)

[bux]

Maybe laterite can be mixed with pearlite/vermiculite/bark to avoid compacting?

Fabrice

[rainforestguy]

avoid vermiculite completely. bark can become dense, but you will need some organic components mixed with perlite is fine. I have not had problems with perlite and I've been using it for over twenty five years. Original media mixed with perlite is still reusable to this day.

A component known as black sand is ultimately the best media. This is the fine eroded cinders from volcanic origin. It is a very fine mixture that holds water and nutrients. In the days when I grew cacti, this was the preferred medium for things such as lophophoras, copiapoas and ariocarpus. This media is very expensive and near impossible to find. I have a few that I've used with great success on many rare highland species.

M

[phissionkorps]

I see some people that say not to use vermiculite with neps (especially on CPUK). Why? I've never actually heard a reason not to use it. I know it's not as long as an experience as some people, but I've used vermiculite in some pots for 3 years and they've been fine. I use vermiculite in almost all of my lowland pots with no ill effects. Until someone can PROVE that it's bad without just saying that it's bad, I'll continue to use it. To me, saying not to use it with neps is pretty contradictory anyway. Lots of neps grow in ultramafic/serpentine soils. What do you think vermiculite is?

[rainforestguy]

Vermiculite compacts over time. It also is a magnet for chlorine compounds and salts in general. When I used vermiculite on cacti and succulents, plants that had vermiculite in their media always had problems with diseases and root rots.

M

[phissionkorps]

I don't think my plants are ever exposed to chlorine besides whats in the RO water (very little if any). As for the salts, I flush my pots every time I water them (2-3x a week), so that's never been a problem for me.

Everything compacts eventually, its just a matter of how long it takes. I had most of my lowlanders in a very peat heavy mix, but have now changed to 5:2:2 peat/perlite/vermiculite. Seems airier and generally a bit better. Since I have pretty much only lowlanders, and I mix a few pieces of wood or lava rock in my mixes, I'm not too entirely worried about compaction, as long as I don't have to repot more than once a year.